The Restaurant Industry in Aurland: Current Status and Future Prospects

Overview of the Restaurant Industry in Aurland

The restaurant industry in Aurland is an important part of the local economy, with 9 registered companies in 2026. The industry has shown variable, but overall positive, development over the years, with a sales increase from NOK 10.9 million in 2016 to NOK 13.4 million in 2025. Employment has increased from 30 in 2016 to 42 in 2026, although there have been periods of decline. The industry is part of the broader «restaurant/café» sector, which includes 11 companies in the municipality, showing that there is room for specialization and differentiation in Aurland.

Key Figures in 2026:

• Number of companies: 9
• Number of employees: 42
• Sales: NOK 13.4 million
• EBITDA margin: 10% (for the entire industry)
• Gross margin: 1452% (for individual companies)

Trend Analysis:

• Sales have grown by 24.1% from 2024 to 2025, but had a sharp decline of 34.8% in 2022–2023.
• Employment has grown by 5.0% from 2025 to 2026, but had a sharp decline of 12.0% in 2022–2023.

Sales Development:

Employment Development:

Critical Observations:

• Sales had a sharp decline of 34.8% in 2022–2023, but recovered with an increase of 55.4% in 2023–2024.
• Employment had a sharp decline of 12.0% in 2022–2023, but has since grown by 40.9% from 2023 to 2024.
• The EBITDA margin for the entire industry stands at 10%, showing a relatively stable profit margin.

Registered Companies in Aurland (2026):

1. Marianne Bakeri & Kafe As (Odden 2, Aurland)

• Legal form: AS
• Number of employees: 21
• Sales: NOK 7.2M
• EBITDA: NOK 1.4M
• EBITDA margin: 19%

1. Sognaporten As (Skulevegen 58, Aurland)

• Legal form: AS
• Number of employees: 11
• Sales: NOK 21.3M
• EBITDA: NOK 1.7M
• EBITDA margin: 7%

1. Grp As (Fretheimshaugane 32C, Flåm)

• Legal form: AS
• Number of employees: 13
• Sales: NOK 0
• EBITDA: NOK 0

Legal Form Statistics:

• AS: 4 companies, 62 employees, NOK 29.7M operating income, NOK 3.1M EBITDA, 10% EBITDA margin.
• ENK: 2 companies, 0 employees, NOK 0 sales, NOK 0 EBITDA.

Important Observations:

• Most companies are ASs, indicating a high degree of formal organization.
• Two companies (Experience Undredal As and Cafe Stationen As) have no sales or employees, which may indicate that they are in the start-up phase or have ceased operations.

Business Activity Distributed by Locations in Aurland:

Analysis:

• Aurland: The most active area with 3 companies and 49 employees. Operating income is NOK 29.7M, and EBITDA is NOK 3.1M.
• Flåm: A less active area with 1 company and 13 employees. Operating income and sales are NOK 0, indicating that companies here have not operated actively.

Conclusion:

• There is a clear concentration of restaurant activity in Aurland, while Flåm has lower activity. This may be due to Aurland having a larger population and tourist activity.

Bankruptcies and Operational Risk:

• No companies in the industry have gone bankrupt in Aurland, showing a relatively stable industry.
• Two companies have no sales or employees (Experience Undredal As and Cafe Stationen As), which may indicate that they are in the start-up phase or have ceased operations.

Operational Results:

• Marianne Bakeri & Kafe As has a high EBITDA margin of 19%, indicating good efficiency.
• Sognaporten As has a lower EBITDA margin of 7%, but high sales of NOK 21.3M.

Conclusion:

• The industry has shown itself to be relatively stable, with no bankruptcies and a high degree of operational activity. However, it is important to be aware of companies that have not operated actively, which may be a risk for future development.

Outlook for Entrepreneurs

Trend Analysis:

• Sales have grown by 24.1% from 2024 to 2025, showing a positive trend in the industry.
• Employment has grown by 5.0% from 2025 to 2026, indicating increasing demand for labor.
• The EBITDA margin stands at 10%, showing a relatively stable profit margin.

Opportunities:

• High EBITDA margin (10%) and high gross margin (1452% for individual companies) show that it is possible to achieve good profits in the industry.
• Concentration of activity in Aurland can provide opportunities to leverage local tourism and population.

Challenges:

• Two companies have no sales or employees, which may indicate that there is a risk that such companies will not be established in the future.
• Competitiveness is important, as there are more companies in the industry, especially in Aurland.

Trend Analysis for the Broader Sector:

• Sales have grown by 24.1% from 2024 to 2025, showing a positive trend in the industry.
• Employment has grown by 8.9% from 2025 to 2026, indicating increasing demand for labor.
• The EBITDA margin for the broader sector stands at 0%, showing that there may be a lower profit margin than in the restaurant industry.

Contrast with the Restaurant Industry:

• The broader sector has more companies (11) than the restaurant industry (9), showing that there is room for specialization and differentiation.
• Employment in the broader sector has grown more (8.9% from 2025 to 2026) than in the restaurant industry (5.0% from 2025 to 2026).

Peer Companies in the Broader Sector:

Conclusion:

• The broader «restaurant/café» sector has shown itself to be more developed than the restaurant industry, with more companies and higher growth in employment. However, it is important to be aware that some companies in this sector have no sales or EBITDA, which may be a risk for future development.

The restaurant industry in Aurland has shown itself to be a stable and important part of the local economy, with positive development in sales and employment over the years. The industry has a high EBITDA margin (10%) and a high gross margin (1452% for individual companies), showing that it is possible to achieve good profits. However, it is important to be aware of companies that have not operated actively, which may be a risk for future development.

For Entrepreneurs:

• It is possible to establish oneself in Aurland, especially in Aurland, where there is a concentration of activity.
• It is important to be competitive, as there are more companies in the industry.
• SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable addresses in Aurland for restaurant activity, based on natural conditions and market prospects.